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From what I've been told by some CHP officers I know, their recent switch to Harleys was almost entirely financial. BMW cuts them no breaks in the price and outfitting a state agency with $25k+ bikes is not good for the budget. He wasn't able to tell me what they are getting the Harleys for, but he said it was somewhere just barely above dealer cost, which is dramatically cheaper than the BMWs. While the BMW clutches are a hassle to repair, that cost is nowhere near the fleet cost of buying new vehicles. Considering I've seen CHP 1150s still in service with 150k on them, they are in need of new bikes.

From what I've been told by some CHP officers I know, their recent switch to Harleys was almost entirely financial. BMW cuts them no breaks in the price and outfitting a state agency with $25k+ bikes is not good for the budget. He wasn't able to tell me what they are getting the Harleys for, but he said it was somewhere just barely above dealer cost, which is dramatically cheaper than the BMWs. While the BMW clutches are a hassle to repair, that cost is nowhere near the fleet cost of buying new vehicles. Considering I've seen CHP 1150s still in service with 150k on them, they are in need of new bikes.

I thought CHP went back to BMWs??? I heard it wasn"t about the cost it was about the Governor who wanted them riding Harley's. I remember when I wanted to switch to BMW, there were a few other motor officers, they made us go through all these testing, meetings, and bid crap, but when a new ranking officer wanted Harley, he just snapped his finger, don't look at the data that I had collect over 10 years to show that BMW where cheaper to operate.

From what I've been told by some CHP officers I know, their recent switch to Harleys was almost entirely financial. .

That is what it all boils down to. The operating costs for a BMW is just too high. The PDs have the same problem all BMW riders have. Too few dealers and too high prices for parts and service. The few municipalities that use BMWs have higher budgets and/or manage to find ways to run the bikes at lower costs.

I can't find the full report performed by the Michigan State Police when their contract with Harley-Davidson expired and they evaluated the latest offerings from top manufacturers. Here's an article that reports some of their findings and suffice it to say they are rolling on brand new R1200RTs: http://www.policemag.com/blog/vehicl...t-results.aspx.

2004 R1150RT 151,500 miles , 1991 K100LT 128,000 miles, 1982 R100RT 106,900 miles
Total 386,400 BMW miles
AMA,BMWRA,BMWMOA
The cheapest thing on a BMW is the nut that connects the handlebars to the seat.

I think the biggest hurdle of Harley vs BMW is ergonomics. Its just too hard for most cops to get their leg up over the seat of a BMW. The low seat height of a Harley is a blessing for those with a large gut.

It's also a problem for folks with short inseams. The police departments no longer have a minimum height requirement like they once did. When my old R1200CLC dies, I will probably have to leave BMW because they don't sell anything with a seat height I am comfortable with.

'You can say what you want about the South, but I almost never hear of anyone wanting to retire to the North.

That is what it all boils down to. The operating costs for a BMW is just too high. The PDs have the same problem all BMW riders have. Too few dealers and too high prices for parts and service. The few municipalities that use BMWs have higher budgets and/or manage to find ways to run the bikes at lower costs.

I do not see how that is true. BMW run double on maintenance, 6000 miles vs. 2500 service. And if you have a good fleet manager they can negate a contact with either maintenance included, lower hourly rate, and percent cap on parts. We had an awesome partnership with our BMWs and dealership. RIP Dusty Miller...............

I do not see how that is true. BMW run double on maintenance, 6000 miles vs. 2500 service. And if you have a good fleet manager they can negate a contact with either maintenance included, lower hourly rate, and percent cap on parts. We had an awesome partnership with our BMWs and dealership. RIP Dusty Miller...............

May be for the HD, but there's Honda and Kawasaki too and now Victory. Lots of choices out there for the motorcop.

I do not see how that is true. BMW run double on maintenance, 6000 miles vs. 2500 service. And if you have a good fleet manager they can negate a contact with either maintenance included, lower hourly rate, and percent cap on parts. We had an awesome partnership with our BMWs and dealership. RIP Dusty Miller...............

H-D 2,500 mile service intervals have been history for many years. H-D service intervals are 5k apart. Having been involved with both H-D and BMW police bikes I give the nod to cost to H-D. I have no numbers to back this up but I have a feeling if you take the purchase price and H-D maintenance costs and compare to BMW H-D is going to win.

Of course, H-D is no match to BMW whatsoever. Given the increased level of safety with a BMW I would hope most municipalities are looking at this from more than pure cost. IMO most municipalities would be better off buying BMW as opposed to H-D despite any theoretical price differences either in unit price and/or cost of operations. The folks riding these types of units deserve the best safety package it can possibly afford. And, H-D is not it.

H-D 2,500 mile service intervals have been history for many years. H-D service intervals are 5k apart. Having been involved with both H-D and BMW police bikes I give the nod to cost to H-D. I have no numbers to back this up but I have a feeling if you take the purchase price and H-D maintenance costs and compare to BMW H-D is going to win.

Of course, H-D is no match to BMW whatsoever. Given the increased level of safety with a BMW I would hope most municipalities are looking at this from more than pure cost. IMO most municipalities would be better off buying BMW as opposed to H-D despite any theoretical price differences either in unit price and/or cost of operations. The folks riding these types of units deserve the best safety package it can possibly afford. And, H-D is not it.

That was back from 96-00 is when we had HDs. Our maintenance was cheaper, but then Dusty Miller owner/operator was a retired cop, who owned the dealership. He took care of us and what I was told pretty much gave the RTP away, and the more I post about this I am starting to believe he took very very very good care for us.

Too add salt to this thread I was able to ride 2013 Harley with 104 new improvements and it sucked. My left arm was hurting/tired from that cable clutch. I am so sorry and will take a RTP. Rode the Honda too and that was just riding a hot hot hot machine. The gas tank heats up on in the 100 degree Florida heat and bags are a joke for police work.... Again wish BMW got more involved with Police motorcycle and I will help. ..............

Too add salt to this thread I was able to ride 2013 Harley with 104 new improvements and it sucked. My left arm was hurting/tired from that cable clutch. I am so sorry and will take a RTP. Rode the Honda too and that was just riding a hot hot hot machine. The gas tank heats up on in the 100 degree Florida heat and bags are a joke for police work.... Again wish BMW got more involved with Police motorcycle and I will help. ..............